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If you could only buy one, a radar detector or a laser jammer, which would you choose and why?

Radar detectors work, laser jammes DO NOT! I have never seen a credible test showing a Laser jammer doing anything but draining ones wallet.

NOW if they did work, Radar detector for sure, I encounter 200 radar set ups to every 1 laser encounter, if not more. Laser is primarily used on Interstates and major highways, and I do not ride interstates, and avoid major highways like the plague.

Valentine 1. They do not violate federal law and work. Most so-called jammers do nothing. Those that do are transmitters that violate the law.

I run a V-1. There are others out there that are at least as good in detection, sensitivity and false signal rejection but to my knowledge, the V-1 is the only one that actually shows you how many and where they're located.

There are a number of older threads in the 993 subsection as well, with some of our members swearing by their jammers.

...which would you choose, and why...DVEINEDER

The radar detecter is your first choice, as there are more radar sets around than lasers, and radar detecters will pick up radar miles away, under the right conditions. If you can afford it, a jammer is nice, for additional protection. A radar/laser detecter may help you against laser if you have a scout in front of you who gets lasered, but otherwise not. As soon as you hear and see the signal detection, you've already been clocked.

I've done a lot of research into this topic, and JIMO, the best, cost effective unit is a Valentine V1, if used behind a scout. I have an Escort 8500 X50, and it, and other detecters before it, have saved me dozens of tickets over the years. My usual practise is to follow a scout, by a few hundred metres, depending on the situation.

Last edited by Rinty; 03-17-2012 at 03:39 PM.

Rinty

"When you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there."

I don't trust testimonials, no one will admit they wasted $500, so they convince themselves it works.

I want a test by a major automotive publication, or completely independent lab (test NOT paid by a manufacturer)

The ones that work are not jammers, they are frequency shifters. Still if you get painted by a laser spot at a place on your vehicle away from the shifter device, they are useless. The LIDAR beamwidth is about 3 feet at 1000 feet.

I haven't seen anything come close to the Valentine 1. Some say "I wouldn't pay $400.00 for a radar detector", actually that's one save-when you add the costs.
When you run any of these devices you need to educate yourself as to how the radar or laser works. If you are first in the line-or the only one on the road-when you are targeted it's pretty much over. IIRC you need a deceleration of around 3 feet per second to compensate for the device to update and you might make it.
The V1 gives such a long distance warning that vehicles targeted ahead of you will set it off. As for false alarms-really no such thing. Anything operating at the radar frequency will set it off. This would include the automatic door openers at the mall you pass on the highway. A use of the wiper/washer while headed into the sun can be seen by a detector as laser shot.
If doing the Ton really gets you going, that's one thing. If you like to be reminded that the speed limit changed when you get off the highway-it's another. OM

"Well they say.. time loves a hero but only time will tell.. If he's real, he's a legend from heaven If he ain't he was sent here from hell" Lowell GeorgeMod Squad
2009 F800GS 1994 TW200

Radar Detector

Dear BMWMOAers,

Is the Valentine V1 a designed-and-built-for-motorcycles radar detector in that it is compact, can be operated with gloves on, has visual alerts AND is waterproof? I've been thinking about getting one and have been looking at the unit made specially for motorcycles by Adaptiv. Does anyone have a view on that device versus the Valentine? And what good is the Valentine if it can't get wet? Thanks.

The V1 is not specifically designed for motorcycles. Neither is my Escort. If I see rain coming, I just detach it and throw it in the tank bag, as I'm not going to need it in the rain. I believe there are still waterproof boxes available.

As for being glove friendly, these units are set it and forget it; my Escort is on automatic all the time.

The only hassle for me is the helmet wire, so this spring I'm going to have to go wireless, with a BlueTooth rig.

As for the Adaptiv, I took a long hard look at it, but the reviews I read were mixed. I really wish it were as good as Valentine/Escort, but I'm just not sure, so I'm not buying.

Rinty

"When you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there."